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The Dark Ages: An Age of Light

Waldemar Januszczak

Lidia Ciszewska

The Dark Ages: An Age of Light: Episode 3: The Wonder of Islam

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The Wonder of Islam

Episode 3

Episode 3: The Wonder of Islam

BBC Four - The Dark Ages: An Age of Light, The Wonder of Islam

Waldemar Januszczak examines the early artistic explorations of the first Muslims.

Waldemar Januszczak examines the early artistic explorations of the first Muslims, the development of their mosques and their scientific achievements.

The Dark Ages have been misunderstood. History has identified the period following the fall of the Roman Empire with a descent into barbarism - a terrible time when civilisation stopped. 

Waldemar Januszczak disagrees. In this four-part series he argues that the Dark Ages were a time of great artistic achievement, with new ideas and religions provoking new artistic adventures. He embarks on a fascinating trip across Europe, Africa and Asia, visits the world's most famous collections and discovers hidden artistic gems, all to prove that the Dark Ages were actually an 'Age of Light'. 

Along with Christianity, the Dark Ages saw the emergence of another vital religion - Islam. After emerging in the near East it spread across North Africa and into Europe, bringing its unique artistic style with it. In the third episode, Waldemar examines the early artistic explorations of the first Muslims, the development of their mosques and their scientific achievements.

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Waldemar Januszczak looks at the Dark Ages in a new light.

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Episode 3: The Wonder of Islam

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